Construction

Since 2009, Rea Vaya has changed the face of the city; its gleaming stations and unmistakeable buses are a welcome sight for residents who rely on its affordable convenient service.

THE construction of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit system is one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by the City of Johannesburg. Since its launch in 2009, the project has been creating vibrant spaces and connecting previously unlinked economic nodes across the city.

Implemented in stages, the system's Phase 1A and 1B have been successfully completed, with Rea Vaya and the Department of Transport now working closely together to kick off Phase 1C.

Phase 1A

Rea Vaya's Phase 1A started running in 2009, with a trunk route operating between Ellis Park in Doornfontein and Thokoza Park in Soweto, linking with several feeder routes in Soweto. Feeder buses run from Protea Glen to Thokoza Park and from Eldorado Park to Lakeview.

The route covers 325 kilometres of special lanes and intersections, and feeder and complementary buses carry passengers to the trunk route stations.

The inner city circular route travels around the CBD, from Hillbrow and Braamfontein, to Ellis Park in the east and Chancellor House on the western edge of the city.

During the 2010 Fifa World Cup tournament, some 307 000 passengers travelled along the Phase 1A routes.

Phase 1B

The Phase 1B roll-out was completed in February 2014, with routes through Cresta, Windsor West, Parktown, Yeoville, and to and from the University of Johannesburg Soweto, being added.

The route starts in Noordgesig in Soweto, and travels through Pennyville, New Canada, Highgate, Auckland Park and Braamfontein, to Parktown, Metro Centre and Rissik Street in the CBD.

The route has made it possible for commuters to easily reach key public healthcare centres such as the Rahima Moosa, Helen Joseph and Charlotte Maxeke hospitals, as well as educational institutions such as the University of Johannesburg, Wits University, Milpark College, Parktown Boys' High School and Barnato Park High School.

Feeders run to and from Leaglen, Stormhill, Florida, Cresta, Yeoville and Parktown. There are also additional feeders in Soweto from Pimville and Mapetla. These routes are now linked to the Metro Centre Rea Vaya loop, which travels to the inner city via Braamfontein.

Phase 1C

With Phase 1B completed, Rea Vaya's focus has shifted to Phase 1C. Phase 1C will run from: Parktown to Alexandra; then Alexandra to Sandton, with complementary services between the CBD and Ivory Park; and from the CBD to Sunninghill on Oxford/Rivonia roads.

Future plans also include extending the Phase 1C route from Sandton to Randburg by 2018, and possibly extending the trunk route from Soweto Highway to Dobsonville, enabling feeders to service areas such as Braamfisherville.

The Rea Vaya trunk routes from the CBD to Sunninghill via Oxford Road and Ivory Park to Sunninghill will be prioritised after 2018.

The three interchanges will be at Sandton, Alexandra and Westgate, where a number of station modules will be clustered and there will be integration with other modes of transport, including walking and cycling.

Louis Botha Avenue: a major economic hub

A major Rea Vaya priority is transforming Louis Botha Avenue into a major economic hub.

Louis Botha Avenue runs through the north-eastern parts of the city from Hillbrow to Sandton, passing through numerous older suburbs including Orange Grove and Houghton.

As part of its Corridors of Freedom initiative, the City envisions improving existing infrastructure around the avenue, and expanding new infrastructure. Already a busy commercial area, the avenue has experienced urban decay, in part due to illegal businesses such as shebeens.

Protecting Louis Botha Avenue heritage

The new trunk route in the area will pass by a number of Johannesburg heritage spots. Taking this into account Rea Vaya's proposed route and stations will be built to accommodate these iconic destinations, which include the Beacon Royal, the Victory Theatre, the Radium Beer Hall, Doll House, St Hubert Catholic Church and the Alexandra Health Community Clinic.

When completed Phase 1C will comprise 16 kilometres of dedicated trunk routes, three complementary and two feeder routes, and 10 stations, and require 69 articulated buses and 171 standard buses to operate along the route.